CCW Habits: Good, Bad, & Ugly.

[Rob10ring]

I once witnessed a mugging from my 3rd floor office window. A man who also worked in the building was going to his car and carrying a projector with both hands. As he approached the car, which was parked on the street under me, a passerby swung him around by the shoulder. I yelled "STOP" in as loud a voice as I could through the slats in the lower part of my window and the goblin ran off. I called the police as I went down to make sure the victim was OK. He later told me that he was carrying pepper spray in his front pocket, but that he froze up his hands clenched up on what he was carrying. Isn't that a natural instinct to protect what you are carrying?

[Michael Janich]

Hanging on to what you're carrying is a natural instinct. That's why you need to plan to either drop it, chuck it at him, or work around it. Whenever you pick up anything, you should take a moment to think. "Is this a weapon, a projectile, or a hindrance?" Based on the answer, remind yourself what you would do with it if a situation arose (i.e. use it as a weapon, chuck it at him as a distrction, or either protect it or drop it as appropriate).

Like awareness, these pop quizzes are work, but they are well worth the effort.

Stay safe,

Mike

[PegLeg45]

The fact that you are "catching" yourself and switching the bags to your off hand--even if it's late--is a step in the right direction. Two other suggestions:

1) Before you step out of the store, pause. Get your keys (only the car keys you need, on a separate ring from your house keys) in your off hand and put the grocery bags there as well. Then, once you've got everything situated, walk out the door. Taking that time forces you to think and prepare.

2) Actually practice "busy hands" drills on the range. If you have access to a range that allows moving and shooting, have a partner call the cue as you walk down the firing line with a bag or box and your keys in your off hand. He should NOT require you to drop the bags and shoot every time. Sometimes, he just lets you walk. That way, you learn to react to a stimulus, not just wait for the cue to do the drill.

Great discussion. Keep up the good work!

Stay safe,

Mike

Good point there. We had an instructor that did that a few times in some drills and folks thought he was being a smart-ass.
Then it made sense when he pointed out that everything is random and training should be also. You shouldn't practice drawing and firing every time.

[Hottrockin]

Perhaps make the BG a margarita? You grab the lemon and squirt it in his / her eye!!  You make some grand thought for the end user Mr. Janich!

~ponders…do margaritas use lemons~

Perhaps a Tom Collins then?   

[Michael Bane]

Both USPSA and IDPA (and even cowboy) feature stages where the shooter starts with something in the strong hand, or with the strong hand opening a door, etc. It's one of the areas where competition can really help your Real World skills.

mb

[Sponsor]

[ellis4538]

I'll second that Michael and add some COF require you pickup/retrive something with one hand or the other to force you to engage targets one handed.

Richard

[Frisco]

Something I do on those rare occaisions when my wife makes me go to a herd gathering at a mall...is carry a "tactical" coffee in my left hand.  I get the largest cup I can purshase at a kiosk, and keep it in my left hand with the top on very loosely.

If confronted by someone with an axe to grind from my LE days...I can always "deploy" the 40oz of hot liquid to the face or chest, and give myself time to react in another appropriate manner.  My CCW gun is not always the answer.  Sometimes a good old fashioned wrist lock or other pain-compliance tool is right for the moment.  But a good cup of hot coffee to the torso WILL give you time to react.

Since the leg injuries that ended my LE career, I use a mobility scooter in mall settings.  It still works...simply put the drink in the cup holder.

For me...escape is no longer an option as I can't run anymore and walking away at a limp is to expose my back to a threat, so I have had to think outside the box in a situation like this.

[ellis4538]

Frisco, I suggest that you also consider a walking stick and some training for those times when a CCW is not caled for.

FWIW

Richard

[Frisco]

Frisco, I suggest that you also consider a walking stick and some training for those times when a CCW is not caled for.

FWIW

Richard

I do use a cane...a soild oak stick with a vicious hook/handle.  I have gotten training in restraints, come-along holds, striking, and pain compliance techniques.  As for a CCW not being called for...as retired LE, I jumped though the hoops neccessary to obtain my permit under HR218, as well as my AZ CCW.  I am ALWAYS armed.  But...the pistol is just one tool in my toolbox.

[ericire12]

Frisco, you are a bad ass!